AIRLINES FROM AROUND THE WORLD GATHER TO HONOR FOUR/FIVE STAR OFFICIAL AIRLINE RATINGS™ RECIPIENTS

The Industry’s First Rating Program Based Solely on Verified & Certified Passenger Feedback

LONG BEACH, CA USA (25 September 2017) – The top airlines from around the world gathered in Long Beach, California, tonight for the announcement of the industry’s most anticipated honor, the Official Airline Ratings™, the first airline rating program based solely on verified and certified passenger feedback. The Airline Passenger Experience Association (APEX), the only non-profit membership trade association dedicated to improving the entire airline passenger experience, announced the airlines honored with four and five star Official Airline Ratings.

The Official Airline Ratings recognizes airlines in three categories:
• Global Airlines: Airlines with a large number of wide-body aircraft covering the globe
• Major Regional: Airlines covering a significant region of the globe
• Low Cost Carriers: Airlines that self-identify as being low cost carriers

APEX partnered with TripIt® from Concur®, the world’s highest-rated travel-organizing app, to gather anonymous passenger feedback based on verified travel itineraries. Using a five-star scale, more than 500,000 flights were rated by passengers from around the world between 24 October 2016 and to 31 July 2017. First, passengers rated their overall flight experience and then were given the opportunity to provide ratings in five subcategories: seat comfort, cabin service, food and beverage, entertainment and Wi-Fi. The overall ratings were certified by an external auditing service hired by APEX and used to establish the airline’s Official Airline Ratings.

A four-decade old international trade association, APEX represents the world's leading airlines, suppliers and related companies, working to elevate the passenger experience. APEX airline members may participate in a program to receive exclusive access to the anonymous feedback provided by the airline’s passengers, which can be used to curate best practices and improve in-flight experiences for travelers.

About The Airline Passenger Experience (APEX) APEX encompasses a network of businesses and professionals that are committed to providing a world class airline experience for passengers around the globe. As a non-profit, APEX reinvests all of its resources to better serve its members. Every day, APEX members evaluate the passenger experience through an influential community and are improving every aspect of the airline experience: from designing, building and installing seating, entertainment and communications systems on commercial aircraft, to airport lounges and inflight dining. For more than four decades, APEX has worked to strengthen the industry and enable business opportunities through education, innovation, networking and recognition. For more information, please visit apex.aero, sign up for the APEX Daily Experience e-newsletter, or follow APEX on Twitter and Facebook.